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Body Fat Calculator
💪 Body Fat Calculator
The US Navy method estimates body fat percentage from a handful of tape measurements — no calipers or scans needed, and far more informative than BMI alone for anyone with significant muscle mass.
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|
| Athlete | 6–13% | 14–20% |
| Fitness | 14–17% | 21–24% |
| Average | 18–24% | 25–31% |
| Obese | >25% | >32% |
Measure waist at the navel and neck just below the larynx for the most consistent results — measurement technique matters more to accuracy here than the formula itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the tape-measure method vs DEXA scans?
It's typically within 3-4% of more precise methods like DEXA or hydrostatic weighing for most body types, making it a solid free estimate rather than a clinical-grade measurement.
Why does the women's formula need a hip measurement too?
Female fat distribution patterns differ enough from male patterns that the US Navy formula adds a hip measurement to its equation specifically for women, improving accuracy.
What's a healthy body fat range?
Roughly 14-24% for men and 21-31% for women is considered the 'average to fitness' healthy band, though athletes often sit lower and some healthy ranges extend slightly wider by age.
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